Fact Check: Video does not show Hindus being attacked in Punjab

An X user shared the video and said, “Complete failure of law and order in Punjab and attacks on Hindu minorities.” (Archive)

The post alleged that the incident happened at the Sanaur vegetable market in Patiala district, Punjab, where a policeman’s hand was severed and six other officers were injured in an attack by a group. It claimed that when even the police in the region face such brutality and the minority Hindus are perpetually under threat. They said that swords (kirpans) were being used as weapons against people.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is false.

Upon analysing the video, we found the logo of Tribune India on it. Using this clue we searched online and found a report from Tribune India dated April 2020 with the title ‘Asked to show passes, Nihangs chop off ASI’s hand in Sanaur.’

According to the report, an ASI’s hand was chopped off and several policemen were injured when a group of Nihangs attacked them after being asked to show curfew passes. The incident occurred at a vegetable market in Sanaur in Patiala district.

Further, we did a keyword search of the incident which led us to a report in Business Standard titled: “Policemen attacked by ‘Nihangs’ in Punjab, ASI’s hand chopped off.” The report contained a screenshot of the video of the incident from another angle.

Hence, the claim is false as the video does not show a communal attack on Hindus in Punjab.